Does Diet Affect Our Mental and Physical Health?

Overview 

There are countless supplements, pills, and diets that claim to help you get healthier. Not to mention, there's plenty of opinions on what constitutes 'healthy' and what you should be doing to fit that mold. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to our health. Another truth, which some people don't want to acknowledge, is that our diet and the foods we consume have a direct impact on our mental health and physical health. Eating a healthy diet can help manage heart and liver issues, gut problems, and can even alleviate issues related to mental illness such as depression. Those who are at risk of depression should pay special attention to what they are eating. Here's a shocking statistic for you: some studies have shown that chances of depression in young people increase by around 80% when they eat a low-quality (Western) diet, compared to those who eat a diet composed of high-quality, whole-foods. What you eat can alter the chemical composition of your brain health and balance your mood, which can bring relief to issues such as depression and anxiety. Think about it this way- you wouldn't just eat plain hormones, sugars, dyes, and additives on their own. Why would you eat them added to the food you consume daily? These things have a detrimental effect on our mental and physical health. Healthy food simply means food that isn't loaded with junk, isn't processed, and has a high nutritional value. Eating a diet high in sugar, high-fat foods, and processed additives can lead to so many health problems, such as high cholesterol, poor energy levels, excess fat, diabetes, heart disease, a weak immune system, and so many other things. It's time we take a closer look at our eating habits, and examine how clean eating plays a role in our mental and physical health.

What do you eat on a clean diet?

The great thing about eating a clean diet is that the possibilities are endless. The basic idea is that you don't eat processed food or food with tons of additives such as sugar. For some people, a clean diet means eating vegan, which includes only plant-based foods. There have been many success stories for people with health issues that have been able to heal themselves through eating a plant-based diet. This is because we get our greatest nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Also, meats and dairy products often have a high risk of contamination if they are not organic. Cutting these high-risk foods out of your diet can help you see a huge improvement in your health. However, if you can get organic meats and dairy, it's totally fine to enjoy these things as a part of your diet. The point is to be increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, and having them compose a majority of what you eat throughout the day. Some people turn to things like the Mediterranean diet. This model of healthy eating closely follows the diets of those who live by the Mediterranean Sea. These people have access to the freshest and cleanest seafood. Their diets are mainly composed of seafood, whole grains, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats such as olive oil. If you're one of those people who doesn't like diets or excluding foods, that's fine too. Don't get too caught up in food trends and fancy diets. What matters is your diet quality. At the end of the day, eating a balanced diet is the best way to stay healthy, both mentally and physically. Let's be honest, there are days where you just need a burger and fries or a lot of chocolate. And that is just fine. The point is that a majority of your diet should be composed of veggies (especially green leafy ones like kale), fresh fruits, and other whole foods like lentils, grains, and nuts. Eating a predominantly low-fat diet can also help if you are trying to watch things like your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. 

What is clean eating?

Clean eating is consuming food products that are highly nutritious and do not contain harmful additives, preservatives, and ingredients. It's eating foods and taking supplements you know will help, and not hinder, your health. People often think of clean eating as restrictive or limiting, but in reality, it’s quite the opposite. You can eat unlimited fruits and vegetables, clean meats and seafood, and plenty of delicious snacks. One of the first things nutritionists will do when helping a client lose weight or clean up their diet is instructing them to eat MORE clean foods like vegetables. It’s not about eating less, it’s about eating more of the right foods. One great snack option for clean eating is our Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars. They contain 12 grams of marine collagen (higher quality collagen compared to bovine collagen), offering a bioavailable (easy to absorb) protein that can support your gut and improve hair, skin, and nails. The bars also contain naturally occurring antioxidants from nutrient-dense ingredients such as sweet potato and cocoa butter. Since the bars are very filling, they not only offer a clean snack, they can assist in weight loss as they are fulfilling to the body- not just empty calories. The formula is designed to help absorb and retain collagen in the body and can be a great way to support your overall health. One of the biggest concerns when adjusting to a clean diet is reducing sugars and becoming aware of hidden sugar replacements, such as sugar alcohols. Another amazing attribute of Kalumi BEAUTYfood bars is that unlike most “healthy” protein bars, Kalumi contains more protein content than sugar content. The only sweetener used is Yacon syrup, a natural and low-glycemic-index sweetener derived from the root-vegetable native to Peru. This root-vegetable sweetener can help support your gut due to its prebiotic properties. Supplements can also be a part of clean eating. Taking things like probiotics (to take care of your gut microbiome), vitamin D for bone strength, and turmeric for inflammation are all great ways to ensure you stay healthy and strong. 

Is clean eating healthy?

Yes! Clean eating is the healthiest way to take care of yourself. Your food choices do have a large impact on your overall health. Many people tend to think that food only affects our physical health. Those who study nutritional psychiatry say that a poor diet and poor nutrition can play a role in mood disorders and increase symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is important to note that while eating clean and cutting out junk can be helpful, it is not a substitute for prescribed medication and care from your doctor or psychiatrist. There are still more studies that need to occur to concretely prove the relationship between food and our mental health. However, current research shows that clean eating is essential for brain development, preventing and alleviating depression and anxiety, and helping you to just feel good overall. All of this information is not to add stress or make you think you need to change every aspect of your diet. It's food for thought. Maybe you start by making small changes like eating less red meat or less sugar and see how you feel each day. Maybe you go see a nutritionist and they get you on track to make better choices. Maybe you start over completely and cut out all junk food. Whatever you need to do, do it. Sometimes it's hard to change, but your diet is the one thing that can either prevent or allow you to live your best and healthiest life. Our health is the most important thing we have, and it's the one thing we actually can control if we work hard enough to take care of ourselves.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.